GLENDALE, AZ (March 26, 2012) – The Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today that Brandon Marino of the Quad City Mallards has been named the recipient of the 2011-12 Central Hockey League Most Valuable Player award.

The MVP honor is ‘presented annually to the Central Hockey League player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team’ and is determined through balloting of CHL coaches, communications staff members and selected media members in CHL markets.

Marino was selected on 50 percent of the ballots earning 25 votes, a dozen more than second place finisher Todd Robinson of Evansville. Marino and Robinson were joined by Allen’s Bruce Graham, Rapid City’s Shawn Limpright and Wichita’s Matt Robinson as finalists on the MVP ballot.

Marino finished the season second in the league with 90 points. His 41 goals and 13 power play goals led the league and his seven game winning goals was tied for fourth in the CHL. The Riverside, California native had 24 multiple-point games during the season and he becomes just the second player to win the CHL All-Star Game Most Valuable Player and the league’s MVP honors in the same season (Greg Pankewicz, 2004-05).

Back in January, Marino scored the game winning goal, had three assists and was a +4 in the CHL All-Stars 6-4 win over the Arizona Sundogs at Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, Arizona.

Marino was also named the 2012 All-Star MVP

During the season, Marino was recognized as the Oakley Three Star Player of the Month for January and at the conclusion of the season, ranks as the CHL’s top three star player with 73 points (was named a star of the game 25 times including seven first star honors). He was also named a member of the 2011-12 All-CHL Team.

After recording four points in three games in October, Marino continued his offensive production highlighted by 10 goals and 21 points in the month of December. The 5-9, 185-pound forward had 18 points in March, 17 points in January and 15 points in November and February.

The Mallards finished the season with a 37-27-2 record narrowly missing the post-season with 76 points.